Tom Bischof had recently earned himself more playing time at FC Bayern. In Elversberg, the youngster got his chance—but was barely able to take advantage of it.
For Tom Bischof, the away game at SV Elversberg was supposed to be his next big opportunity. After the 5-0 win over Bodo/Glimt, Vincent Kompany made significant changes to the lineup and started the 21-year-old from the beginning. Bischof was set to prove himself once again in central midfield.
But in the hard-fought 2-1 victory, the summer signing remained largely inconspicuous. While Aleksandar Pavlovic repeatedly took charge in the center and ultimately set up Harry Kane’s game-winning goal, Bischof was barely able to make his mark on Bayern’s play.
This is particularly noteworthy because just a few days earlier, his development had been heading in the opposite direction.
A strong performance is followed by a setback
In the 4-1 DFB Cup win over VfL Osnabrück, Bischof had impressed in his first competitive start of the season. The midfielder scored the crucial 2-1 goal and, with a strong performance, earned himself further playing time.
Bischof also enjoys a great deal of trust within the club. Joshua Kimmich praised the youngster after his strong cup performance, while Kompany held out the prospect of a “major and important role” for him at FC Bayern. Sporting director Christoph Freund also emphasized that Bischof would get plenty of playing time.
So far, however, this has done little to change the current hierarchy in midfield. Joshua Kimmich is a fixture in the starting lineup, and Aleksandar Pavlovic currently has the edge over the others. In the 0-0 draw at Schalke, Bischof didn’t come on until late to replace Pavlovic; in the Champions League opener against Bodo/Glimt, Kompany once again started with Kimmich and Pavlovic.
That made the opportunity in Elversberg all the more important. It is precisely in such matches that Bischof can prove himself worthy of more playing time and intensify the competition. This time, he did not succeed.
Of course, after just a few weeks into the season, there’s no question of a fundamental problem. Bischof is only 21 years old and is still in his first season with FC Bayern. It’s part of a young player’s development that a strong performance is sometimes followed by a weaker one.
However, the competition in Munich’s midfield leaves little room for such slip-ups. Pavlovic stood out much more in Elversberg and also delivered the key pass to Kane for the decisive 2-1 goal.
Bischof has already shown that he can make an impact at this level. In Elversberg, however, he was unable to capitalize on his next opportunity. For now, the battle for a starting spot alongside Kimmich clearly favors Pavlovic.